British Isles, 12 Nights

Located in eastern Northern Ireland on Belfast Lough, an inlet of the north channel of the Irish Sea, Belfast is the capital and largest city in the country.

Channel Islands, archipelago (1995 est. pop. 151,000), 75 sq mi (194 sq km), 10 mi (16 km) off the coast of France in the English Channel. The principal islands are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark; they are dependencies of the British crown. Agriculture, dairying, and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. English and French are the official languages. The natives speak a Norman patois and maintain Norman customs. The islands became possessions of the duke of Normandy in the 10th century and were joined to the English crown at the Norman Conquest. They were occupied by the Germans during World War II.

The City is a vibrant and exciting place to visit and a warm “Liverpool” welcome is always guaranteed. The centre is alive with theatres, restaurants, clubs and attractions that are able to provide something for everyone. It is one of the world’s most famous and historic cities and its distinguished life as a centre for world trade and commerce is clearly reflected in its rich culture and architectural heritage, a fact re-inforced by being shortlisted for the City of Architecture and Design 1999. Liverpool is also host to many sporting and spectator events throughout the year, a selection of which are detailed in this
guide.

Over 2500 listed buildings are located within the area and many are built to classical designs. William Brown Street is home to a number of the city’s finest buildings including the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool Museum and Central Libraries. Nearby St. George’s Hall, constructed in an age when size and grandeur were of paramount importance, is widely
regarded as the finest neo-classical building in Europe. The Town Hall is the jewel of Liverpool’s historic buildings with its Golden Minerva sitting proudly atop the golden dome. Both of these magnificent buildings have been refurbished and feature a programme of events, public openings, exhibitions, conferences and business and private functions.

The City can also boast to being one of the greenest Cities in Britain. Relax and enjoy the pleasant surroundings of the 2400 acres of parklands and open spaces. Croxteth Hall and Country Park Estate is set in 500 acres of woodland with a working farm animal collection, miniature railway and adventure playground. The historic mansion contains period
rooms and character figures and welcomes visitors throughout the summer.

Newcastle is the capital of the Hunter Valley Region, in New South Wales. Located on the east coast of Australia, the Hunter Region encompasses a land area of approximately 31,000 square kilometres and a resident population of around 544,000 people. Newcastle’s population is estimated at 132,000 people. Getting to and from Newcastle is simple. From Sydney, it is a comfortable 2 hour drive (Sydney is 171 kilometres to the south); 30 minutes by air and two hours by passenger train (there is a regular hourly service). There are also direct flights from Brisbane and Canberra. Newcastle is the gateway to the Hunter Valley and is now a very different place to the time when steel and coal industries were the main source of employment. Long gone are the smoky grey industrial images – they have been replaced with elegantly restored historic buildings; picturesque parks and gardens; an extensive selection of restaurants boasting cuisine from around the world; and the natural beauty of its white sandy beaches and harbour. There is a wide selection of magnificent art galleries and museums; nightclubs and eateries; and extensive shopping facilities. The long list of natural attractions
within easy access of the city includes everything from wilderness areas, rainforests and beaches to world famous vineyards. The green rolling hills of Australia’s oldest winemaking region are studded with restaurants, guest houses, and of course, the vineyards where more than twenty varieties of grape ripen slowly in the warm summer sunshine to produce some of Australia’s finest wines. Lakes, beaches, rivers and bays, combine with lush countryside to make the Hunter
region surrounding Newcastle almost unlimited in its appeal.

Southampton Parish, on Main Island, is one of the nine parishes each of 2.3055 (two point three zero five five) square miles. It was named after Henry Wriothesley, Third Earl of Southampton (1573-1624), an English aristocrat, one of the most colorful Elizabethans, the patron and friend of William Shakespeare.

Guernsey’s cliff town boasts a spectacular setting and charming streets filled with Regency-style houses. The quaint town is the main area for shopping. The winding, cobble-stone streets give the port a feeling of yester-year but with modern conveniences.